The Krewe of Endymion is the largest of the krewes participating in New Orleans Mardi Gras. It was founded in 1966 and named after Endymion from Greek mythology.

It has a tradition of being generous with its throws, tossing millions of beads, cups, doubloons and trinkets during its annual parade, held the weekend before Fat Tuesday. The parade is followed with a huge party called the Endymion Extravaganza, held since 1981 in the Louisiana Superdome. In recent years, the krewe has had over 2000 members and 10,000-15,000 guests at its extravaganza.

Starting in 1974, Endymion began its tradition of celebrity grand marshalls:

• 1974: Doc Severinsen
• 1975: Dyan Cannon, Bobby Vinton
• 1976: Alice Cooper, Wolfman Jack, Jerry Vale
• 1977: Gino Vanelli , Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Vikki Carr
• 1978: Cheryl Ladd, Wayne Newton, Fats Domino
• 1979: Charo, K.C. and the Sunshine Band
• 1980: Engelbert Humperdinck
• 1981: Neil Sedaka, Suzanne Somers
• 1982: Captain & Tennille, Kool and the Gang
• 1983: Lou Rawls, Crystal Gayle, Kool and the Gang, Doc Severinsen
• 1984: Tom Jones, Kool and the Gang, Fats Domino, Doc Severinsen
• 1985: Wayne Newton, Fats Domino, Melissa Manchester
• 1986: Paul Anka
• 1987: Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller , Tracey Gold
• 1988: Dolly Parton, Heather Locklear, Roy Orbison, Smokey Robinson, Spuds McKenzie, Miami Sound Machine
• 1989: Fred Savage, Hall and Oates
• 1990: John Goodman, Chicago, Four Tops
• 1991: Michael Bolton
• 1992: Kenny Rogers, Patrick Duffy
• 1993: Steven Seagal, Beach Boys
• 1994: Stephen Stills, Jeannie Cooper , Corbin Bernsen, Frankie Valli
• 1995: Chuck Norris, Huey Lewis, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Richard Karn
• 1996: Kool and the Gang, Jonathan Silverman, Donna Summer
• 1997: David Schwimmer
• 1998: Jerry Springer, Jack Wagner, Ian Ziering, K.C. and the Sunshine Band
• 1999: Emeril Lagasse
• 2000: Britney Spears
• 2001: Frankie Muniz
• 2002: Jason Alexander
• 2003: Aaron Carter
• 2004: LeAnn Rimes
• 2005: Marisa Tomei

External link

• Endymion's website